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UNITED STATES OP AMERICA. 




OPENING, CLOSING 



INSTALLATION CEREMONIES 



Right Worthy Grand Council 



Independent Order of Saint Luke 



State of Virginia. 

10V 24 i; 
Adopted by the R. W. G. Council, August 15, 1893. 

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REVISED, ARRANGED AND COMPILED 



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M. 


T. 


FORRESTER, R. 

1893. 


W. G. 
1894. 


SECRETARY. 




Copyrighted 














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R. W. 0. Inside Sentinel. 



R. W. (J. Outside Sentinel. 



FORM OF CEREMOKIES 



FOR OPENING THE 



RIGHT WORTHY GRAND COUNCIL 
Independent Order of St. Luke. 



All arrangements having been made for the meeting of 
the R. W. G. Council, the officers and representatives 
shall assemble on the day appointed by the R. W. G. 
Council in such place as may have been arranged, and at 
the hour agreed upon. 

The R. W. G. Chief (or any officer appointed to act) 
shall call the R. W. G. Council to order with several raps 
of the gavel. 

After appointing the Inside and Outside Sentinels, 
Prelate, and Messenger, temporarily, the R. W. G. Chief 
(or the officer presiding) will address the assemblage as 
follows : 

Hear ye, all that have assembled within these walls. 
With your assistance I shall now proceed to open the R. 
. W. G. Council of the I. O. of St. Luke to transact such 
business as may be presented, trusting that I may have 
your hearty co-operation in all matters that shall be 
submitted. 

R. W. G. Vice-Chief, you will please see that all 
officers are at their several positions; that the doors of 
the R. W. G. Council are guarded against intrusion; 
ascertain if all persons present are worthy members of 



the I. O. of St. Luke ; if they are clothed in proper 
regalia, and if they are in possession of the proper pass- 
word of the Independent Order of St. Luke. 

The Right Worthy Grand Vice- Chief will inspect each 
position; see that it is filled, and that the officers, repre- 
sentatives, and members present are clothed in proper 
regalia and in possession of the proper pass-word, and 
report the result as follows: 

R. W. G. Vice- Chief.— Right Worthy Grand Chief, 
all of the officers are at their respective positions; the 
doors of the R. W. G. Council are securely guarded, and 
all present are properly regailed, and have proven them- 
selves worthy associates of the R. W. G. Council by the 
pass-word, and I now await your further instruction. 

(The R. W. G. Chief gives two raps, which calls all 

officers up.) 

R. W. G. Chief— -R. W. G. Vice-Chief, What are 
your duties ? 

R. W. G. Vice- Chief. — It is my duty to assist you in 
enforcing order and decorum during the sessions of the 
R. W. G. Council; see that the officers are at their re- 
spective stations; that the' representatives are properly 
clothed in regalia, and in possession of the proper pass- 
word before the R. W. G. Council is opened, and in 
case of your absence to act and preside for you. 

R. W. G. Chief. — R. W. G. Secretary, What is your 
duty ? 

R. W. G. Secretary. — It is my duty to conduct all 
correspondence of the R. W. G. Council, and keep a 
just and true account of the proceedings of the R. W. 
G. Council; receive all moneys from the Subordinate 



Councils for the R. W. G. Council; pay the same over 
to the R. W. G. Treasurer, taking his receipt for the 
same; fill all money orders, by order of the R. W. G. 
Council or Grand Chief, and perform such other duties 
as the R. W. G. Council may, from time to time, direct, 
and submit an annual report of all transactions of this 
office to the R. W. G. Council. 

R. W. G. Chief. — R. W. G. Treasurer, What is your 
duty? 

R. W. G. Treasure?'. — It is my duty to receive all 
moneys of the R. W. G. Council from the R. W. G. 
Secretary, giving a receipt for the same; keep a just and 
true account of all moneys so received and held in trust; 
pay the same out under the direction of the R. W. G. 
Council, upon orders duly signed by the R. W. G. Sec- 
retary and Chief, with seal of the R. W. G. Council 
attached, and report the same to the R. W. G. Council 
annually. 

R. W. G. Chief.- -R. W. G. Inside Sentinel, What 
is your, duty ? 

R. W. G. Inside Sentinel. — It is my duty to keep the 
inside door of the R. W. G. Council during the time of 
meeting; see that all the officers and members are clothed 
in proper regalia and in possession of the proper pass- 
word before allowing them to enter the R. W. G. Council, 
unless otherwise ordered by the R. W. G. Vice- Chief. 

R. W. G. Chief.— R. W. G. Outside Sentinel, What 
is your duty ? 

R. W. G. Outside Sentinel. — It is my duty to keep 
the outside door during the session of the R. W. G. 
Council ; allow no person to enter the ante-room without 
the proper pass-word, unless otherwise ordered by the 



R. W. G. Chief; to be responsible for all property re- 
maining in the ante-room while the R. W. G. Council 
is in session. 

R. W. G. Chief.— -R. W. G. Messenger, What is 
your duty ? 

R. W. G. Messenger.— It is my duty to see that every 
necessary preparation is made for the comfort of those in 
attendance on the session of the R. W. G. Council; to 
wait upon the officers and members during the session; 
to bear messages to and from the officers and members 
during the hours of meeting; to conduct visitors to seats, 
and during the installation, to conduct officers to their 
positions, and to perform such other duties as the R. W. 
G. Council may direct. 

R. W. G. Chief.— -R. W. G. Prelate, What is your 
duty ? 

R. IV. G. Prelate.— It is my duty to officiate at the 
sacred altar; to conduct devotional exercises before 
opening and at the closing of each session of the R. W. 
G. Council. 

R. W. G. Chief— K. W. G. Vice-Chief and associates, 
I solicit your assistance in the performance of my duty 
while I am conducting- the business of the R. W. G. 
Council, and sincerely trust that in our conduct and 
conversations we may exemplify the principles of honor, 
temperance, faithfulness, obedience, meekness, charity, 
and brotherly kindness. 

May we so temper our hearts that our motto, " Love, 
Purity, and Charity," shall at all times be found with us. 
(The R. W. G. Chief will now give three raps, at which 
all will rise.) 

The following, or some other hymn, will then be sung: 



HYMN — L. M. 

1 Father of love, whose watchful care 
Has kept us through another year; 
We would our humble voices raise, 
To Thee, our God, in thankful praise. 

2 Accept our thanks, our Order bless, 
And crown its labors with success. 
Guide us from sin and sorrow free: 

We pray these blessings, Lord, of Thee. 

3 Come, let us join with hands and hearts; 
Come, every one and take your part, 
With love divine and trust complete, 
And pour our offering at His feet. 

(The R. W. G. Prelate may select a passage of Scrip- 
ture, after which prayer shall be offered. During prayer 
all must kneel.) 

After prayer, all will rise; the R. W. G. Chief will 
address the Grand Council as follows: 

Respected associates, I, , by virtue of the 

authority in me vested, do hereby declare the R. W. G. 
Council duly opened and ready for business. 

(Give one rap, at which all will be seated, and the 
Grand Council will proceed to business as provided for in 
the rules of the Order.) 



CLOSING CEREMONIES. 

(To be used at the final adjournment of the R. W. 
G. Council.) 

The business of the R. W. G. Council being com- 
pleted, the R. W. G. Chief gives three raps of the 
gavel, at which all will rise. 

CLOSING HYMN — L. M. 

Farewell, farewell, each anxious heart; 
In God we trust, in Him we part; 
Come, let us on His promise rest, 
And feel secure within our breast. 

Some here to-day may meet no more, 
Yet on that bright and happy shore, 
There free from sin, yes, toil and pain, 
Farewell till we shall meet again. 

R. IV. G. Chief.— Officers and associates of the R. 
W. G. Council of the I. O. of St. Luke, our labors of 
this session have almost been completed, and soon we 
will separate to return to our several homes and resume 
our daily avocations. 

Before parting, permit me to thank you for your pres- 
ence and for your assistance rendered the Order by your 
wisdom and influence during the session; and if, at any 
time, any unpleasantness may have occurred, I trust that 
it will be overlooked before our parting. 

May the gentle influence of love, with the desire to be 
pure in heart and a feeling of charity for all mankind, be 
demonstrated in our lives. 

Wishing you all a safe return to your homes, and that 
your Councils may be attended with peace and prosper- 
ity, I now proclaim this R. W. G. Council closed until the 
in , 18 , at . . . o'clock. 

Benediction by the R. W. G. Prelate. 



installation: ceremony 

OF THE 

RIGHT WORTHY GRAND COUNCIL 
Independent Order ef St. Lake. 



At each session of the R. W. G. Council, before pass- 
ing the R. W. G. Chief 5 the R. W. G. Council shall 
select four P. R. W. G. Chiefs (if this number is not 
present, then four P. W. Chiefs shall be selected) to con- 
duct the installation of officers. 

The R. W. G. Chief acting will give several raps with 
the gavel, and request the R. W. G. Messenger to pre- 
sent the officers elected and appointed for installation. 

All being assembled before the station of the R. W. 
G. Chief, he (the Chief) will proceed as follows : 

Respected associates of the independent Order of St. 
Luke, by virtue of authority vested in me by the R W. 
G. Council, Independent Order of St. Luke, I am about 
to install the Grand Officers for the ensuing term. 

If there is any just cause why either of these persons 
before us should not be installed and entrusted with the 
welfare of our esteemed Order, let your objections now 
be made, in the presence of these witnesses. 

(If no objection, the installation shall be proceeded 
with as follows ':) 

The R. W. G. Messenger salutes the R. W. G. Chief 
by placing his right hand upon his left breast, and 
addresses him as follows : 



10 

R. W. G. Chief, in the name of the R. W. G. Coun- 
cil, I. O. of St. Luke of the State of Virginia, I present 
to you the following officers for obligation and installa- 
tion. 

Name of Officer. Official Title. 

P. R. W. G. Chief. 

R. W. G. Chief. 

R. W. G. V. -Chief. 

R. W. G. Secretary. 

R. W. G. Treasurer. 

...••■ R. W. G. Prelate. 

R. W. G. Messenger. 

R. W. G. Inside Sentinel. 

R. W. G. Outside Sentinel. 

These officers have been duly elected for the ensuing 
term. 

R. IV G. Chief (presiding). — To officer to be in- 
stalled : Do you feel that the office to which you have 
been elected is one of importance and trust? 
Officer-elect : I do. 

R. IV G. Chief (to the Grand Council).— Worthy 
associates and members, are you contented with the 
choice you have made ? 
Response : We are. 

OBLIGATION. 

R. W. G. Chief. — The several officers, now standing, 
will place their right hands upon their hearts and repeat, 
after me, the following : 

I , R. W. G , in the presence 

of the R. W. G. Council, I. O. of St. Luke, here assem- 



11 

bled, do promise and declare that I will faithfully per- 
form the duties of the office to which I have been elected. 

I will support, maintain, and abide by the Constitu- 
tion, Laws, Rules, and Regulations of the I. O. of St. 
Luke. 

I furthermore promise to be loyal and true to the R. 
W. G. Council and the Order, and at the expiration of 
my term, or if by removal, I will deliver up all proper- 
ties in my possession belonging to the R. W. G. Coun- 
cil and the Order, to those authorized to receive the same. 

To the performance of which I hereby pledge my 
most sacred honor. 

(Let the right hand fall ) 

Sing Ode — 

Near the cross I'll watch and wait, 

Hoping, trusting ever. 
Till I reach the golden strand, 

Just beyond the river. 

HONORING OF P. R. W. G. CHIEF. 

R. W. G. Messenger. — Right Worthy Grand Chief, I 

take pleasure in presenting to you , who 

comes to receive the title of Past Right Worthy Grand 
Chief of the I. O. of St. Luke. 

R. W. G. Chief. — I bid you welcome to your reward, 
and congratulate you upon your elevation to the rank of 
P. R. W. G. Chief of the I. O. of St. Luke, and I trust 
that, with your experience in the past, the fruit of your 
knowledge may be blended with that of your co-labor- 
ers for the future welfare of the Order. 



12 

I invest you with this badge of honor and in behalf of 
the P. R. W. G. Chiefs, extend to you the hand of 
fellqwship. 

Past Right Worthy Grand Chiefs and Associates, be- 
hold your P. R. W. G. Chief. 

(All give shocks, by raising and lowering hands five 
times, bringing them together the last time. Respond : 
All hail.) 

R. IP. G. Messenger.— -R. W. G. Chief, I present 

to be installed R. W. G. Chief for the 

ensuing term. I believe he is truly worthy of this pro- 
. motion, and will discharge his duties with credit to him- 
self and honor to our Order. 

R. IP. G. Chief — Esteemed brother, do you accept 
this office of R. W. G. Chief with a knowledge of the 
great responsibility attached to it ? 

Response: I do. 

R. W. G. Chief.— In your acceptance of this office do 
you promise, in addition to all former obligations, that 
you will faithfully enforce the laws and act with prudence 
and justice towards the members and Subordinate Coun- 
cils of the Order ? 

Response : I do. 

R. IP. G. Chief —By command of the R. W. G. 
Council, I present you this Charter, the Laws, and this 
Gavel, and invest you with this Badge, which is the 
emblem of your office ; to your care and keeping I com- 
mit this trust. 

R. IP. G. Chief Acting (to the R. W. G. Council).— 
R. W. G. officers and members, behold our Right 
Worthy Grand Chief. 

(All respond, and give shocks four times.) 



13 

[Passing around the room four times, the newly-elected 
R. W. G. C. shall take his station.] 

While the R. W. G. Chief is being" conducted to the 
station, sing one verse : 

Help me to watch and pray, 

And on Thyself rely; 
Assured if I my trust betray, 

I shall forever die. 

R. IV. G. Messenger.— R. W. G. Chief, I present 

to be installed R. W. G. Vice-Chief, 

believing him to be truly worthy of your confidence and 
respect. 

R. IV. G. Chief.— -R. W. G, Vice-Chief, do you 
promise to assist your superior officer, and in event of a 
vacancy that you will act for him and assume the respon- 
sibilities of that important office ? 

Response : I do. 

R. W. G. Chief. — Do you promise to attend and faith- 
fully to perform your duties whenever the R. W. G. 
Council is in session ? 

Response: I will. 

R. W. G. Chief. — In consequence of your willingness 
to discharge your duties, by command of the R. W. G. 
Council, I present you this gavel, these Laws, and now 
invest you with the badge of your office, and proclaim 
you duly installed. 

R. W. G. Chief (to the R. W. G. Council).— Asso- 
ciates, behold our R. W. G. Vice-Chief. 

All respond — So may it be — and give three shocks, 
and while the R. W. G. V. -Chief is being conducted 



14 

three times around the room to his position, the Grand. 
Council will sing one verse of — 

3rightly beams our Father's mercy 
From His light-house evermore, 

But to us He gives the keeping 
Of the lights along the shore. 

R. W. G. Prelate.— R. W. G. Chief, I present . . . 
. . . to be installed R. W. G. Secretary, whom I be- 
lieve is worthy, competent, and eligible to fill this impor- 
tant station with honor to himself and to the credit of 
the Order. 

R. W. G. Chief. — R. W. G. Secretary, your position is 
one of great trust and highly important, not only to the 
Grand Council, but to the Subordinate Councils also. 

Will you be honest and faithful to your trust, and 
comply with the orders of the R. W. G. Chief and the 
instructions of the R. W. G. Council ? 

Response: All of this I sincerely promise and affirm. 

R. W. G. Chief. — Having expressed your willingness 
to perform the duties of R.. W. G. Secretary, you will 
be required to keep accurate minutes of all transactions 
of the R. W. G. Council; you are to collect all revenues; 
conduct correspondence; have charge of the secret works 
of the Order, and at the expiration of your term in 
office, all property, books, documents, and what other 
effects of the Grand Council that may be in your posses- 
sion, you are to deliver the same to those lawfully author- 
ized to receive them. 

Response : All of this I promise upon my sacred 
honor. 



15 

R. W. G. Chief. — I invest you with this badge of 
your office, this list of the properties and valuables of the 
Re W. G. Council, and I trust that you will consider the 
responsibility resting upon you. 

R. W. G. Chief (to the Grand Council). — Associ- 
ates, behold our R. W. G. Secretary. 

(All respond — All hail — and give three shocks.) 

While the R. W. G. Secretary is being conducted to 
his station, passing three times around the room, sing : 

Thro' this changing world below, 
Lead me gently, gently as I go ; 
Trusting Thee, I cannot stray, 
I can never, never lose my way. 

R. W. G. Messenger. — R. W. G. Chief, I now present 
to you to be installed R. W. G. Treas- 
urer, whom I believe is worthy and will honestly and 
faithfully discharge the trust the R. W. G. Council have 
imposed in him. 

R. IV. G. Chief. — R. W. G. Treasurer, do you 
promise in the presence of the R. W. G. Council, now 
assembled, to receive and honestly keep in trust for the 
R. W. G. Council all moneys that as R. W. G. Treas- 
urer you may come into possession of, and that you will 
promptly honor all orders drawn on you for money by 
the Grand Council, or R. W. G. Chief, when duly signed 
and sealed? Do you further promise to turn over to 
your successor at the expiration of your term of office, 
or whenever requested by the Grand Council, Grand 
Chief, or any committee legally appointed to receive the 



16 



i 



same, all books, bonds, documents, moneys, and all 
other effects belonging to the I. O. of St, Luke ? 

Response : All of this I promise upon my sacred honor. 

R. W. G. Chief. — I now invest you with this badge 
of your office and these funds, books, etc. , hoping you 
will always be reminded by your pledge of the necessity 
of preserving your good name. 

R. W. G. Chief (to the Grand Council).— Associates, 
behold our R. W. G. Treasurer. 

(All give three shocks ; Respond — All hail.) 

While the R. W. G. Treasurer is conducted to his 
station, passing around the room three times, sing — 

C. M. 
We place reliance in your zeal, 

And hope you'll ever be 
A true custodian of the trust 

This day we place in thee. 

R. W. G. Messenger. — R. W. G. Chief, I present you 

, to be installed R. W. G. Prelate. I believe 

that he is worthy of the position and that he will perform 
his duties satisfactorily. 

R. W. G. Chief— K. W. G. Prelate, your position 
is one of very great honor. You are required to conduct 
the devotional exercises of the R. W. G. Council. One 
filling this office should be unspotted from vice and wick- 
edness of this world. You are looked upon as a herald 
of peace, and by your example you should constrain 
those that you lead to select paths of purity, righteous- 
ness, and to perform acts of kindness. You will be re- 



17 

quired to conduct the devotional exercises at each ses- 
sion of the R. W. G. Council. Do you promise to per- 
form these duties faithfully ? 

Response : I do. 

R. W. G. Chief. — I invest you with this badge of 
your office and present you with this Bible, from which 
you can learn, and teach those who come within your 
influence, the words of eternal life. 

R. W. G. Chief (to the R. W. G. Council).— Asso- 
ciates, behold our R. W. G. Prelate. 

All respond, All hail, give two shocks, and while 
conducting him to his station, sing — 

" Take the Name of Jesus with you." 

R. W. G. Messenger. — R. W. G. Chief, I now pre- 
sent to you to be installed R. W. G. Mes- 
senger. I believe he is fully qualified to perform his 
duties, and that he is worthy of the position. 

R. W. G. Chief. — R. W. G. Messenger, you are re- 
quired to make necessary arrangements for the comfort 
of those attending the sessions of the R. W. G. Council; 
at the installation you are required to introduce and con- 
duct the Grand Officers to their several stations; receive 
and seat all visitors to the R. W. G. Council, and to 
perform such other duties as may be directed by the R. 
W. G. Chief. Do you promise to be punctual at each 
session, and to perform these services ? 

Response: I do. 

R. W. G. Chief. — I therefore invest you with* this 
badge, the emblem of your office. 

R. W. G. Chief (to the Grand Council). — Associ. 
ates, behold our R. W. G. Messenger. 



18 
(All respond, All hail; give two shocks.) 

R. W. G. Messenger. — R. W. Grand Chief, I now 
present to you , to be installed R. W. G. In- 
side Sentinel. 

R. W. G. Chief. — Your duty demands that you re- 
ceive the proper pass-word and see that every one is 
properly clothed before allowing them to enter the R. 
W. G. Council. See that no one is allowed to pass out 
without permission of the R. W. G. Chief. Will you 
endeavor to perform these duties ? 

Response : I will. 

R. W. G. Chief. — I now invest you with your badge 
of office and present you with this sword. 

R.. W. G. Chief (to the Grand Council). — Associates, 
behold our R. W. G. Inside Sentinel. 

(All respond, All hail; give two shocks.) 

R. W. G. Messenger. — R. W. G. Chief, I now pre- 
sent you , to be installed R. W. G. Out- 
side Sentinel. I have every right to believe he is quali- 
fied for the position and will faithfully discharge his du- 
ties. 

R. W. G. Chief. — Your station is one of no miner 
importance. While strict, let your conduct be gentle 
and free from offence. Every one presenting themselves 
for entrance must prove themselves, according to our 
laws and usages, to be members of the I. O. of St. Luke. 
No one is to be allowed to enter the R. W. G. Council 
without the qualifications provided for in our rules. In 
all cases of doubt, submit the case to the R. W. G. Chief 
for his decision. 



19 

Do you promise to adhere to the laws and usages 
governing your station, and will you be responsible for 
all property placed in the ante-room during the meetings 
of the R. W. G. Council ? 

Response : I do. 

R. IV. G. Chief. — I take pleasure in investing you 
with this badge of your office, and present you with this 
sword as your defence. 

R, W. G. Chief.— Associates, behold our R. W. G. 
Outside Sentinel. 

(All respond, We hail. Give two shocks.) 

(While the Messenger and Sentinels are being con- 
ducted to their stations sing the following — 

Almighty Jehovah, 

Descend now and fill 
This Council with Thy glory, 

Our hearts with good will. 

Preside at our meetings, 

Assist us to find 
True pleasure in teaching 

Good will to mankind — 

or some other appropriate ode : 

R. W. G. Chief (to the R. G. Council).— I, . . . , 
acting for and in behalf of the R. W. G. Council I. O. 
of St. Luke, by virtue of the power and authority in me 
vested, declare the Grand Officers of the ensuing term 
duly installed. 

All respond : So may it be. 

N. B. — In using this ceremony, substitute words to 
those appointed or elected to act. 



iHSSfiSX 0F CONGRESS 

Il»»fill|l"'"" 



,0 027 272 243 21 



